Thumbs down: Marching through more metal detectors

Passing through metal detectors at a security checkpoint has been part of air travel for more than 40 years. These days, you can't enter a courthouse, the U.S. Capitol, many state capitols or even a big league ballpark without getting in a security line, emptying your pockets and passing through a metal detector (or enduring some more intrusive search). You can now add the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors' chamber to the list. Metal detectors were installed this week, adding a layer of security on top of the sheriff's deputies assigned to board meetings.

The county's administrator says she's erring on the side of caution. Sometimes political debates boil over, and no one wants to court tragedy. But there's no history of violence - or anything close to it - at local government meetings. So this seems like overkill. As Supervisor David Rabbitt said, “It probably won't detract (from public participation), but I don't think it sends a good message.” Agreed. Thumbs down.

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